Tape cartridge



jan. 26, 1960 TAPE CARTRIDGE Filed Jan. 22, 1957 B. A. COUSINO Fig. 3

3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR Bernard A. Cousine ,Qua

ATTORNEYS B. A. COUSINO TAPE CARTRIDGE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 22, 1957 52a. 40a, 20a Za INVENTOR .Bernard Gousno B l Wc 79ML m ATTORNEYS Jan. 26, 1960 B. A. couslNo 2,922,642

TAPE CARTRIDGE Filed Jan. 22, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 /45 'y 72/70 l |f4/ 7V I g', `Z7 I J ii )1.56

//b u, 76 F075 if 55 57 (l 80 69 77 17 Fi g 1U INVENTOR Bernard Cousino United States PatentfO" 'I'he present invention relates to means for preventing disarrangement of tape on a reel and more particularly to brake means for preventing rotation of a reel and the'tape coil thereon when the reel is not in use so thaty the tape may be stored in an orderly manner within a magazine.

Diiculty has been had in storing magnetic tape in magazines of the type disclosed in my copending application, Serial No. 500,633, filed April l1, 1955, now

Patent No. 2,911,215, since the loop'of tape extendingl from the reel sometimes becomes disarranged due lto jarring of the magazine particularly in moving vehicles.

AAccording to the present invention, brake means is provided for preventing movementv of the reel and the tape coil within the magazine when the magazine isv not m use.

has means accessible from outside the magazine for releasing the brake when it is desired to feed the tape fromy the reel. The brake may be released in response to movement of the magazine to its operating position on the tape recorder or may be released by cam means, or the like, just before feeding of the tape is effected.

Where means are provided for causing relative upward and downward movement of one of the tape feed rollers and a portion of the tape, as disclosed in said Patent No. 2,911,215, a common control member may be provided for causing such relative movement and for releasing the brake from the coil.

The brake and the upper surfaces of the tape coil normally are in engagement so that the tape in the coil is held eiectively against movement. A spring,v or the like, may be provided for pressing a brake member downwardly against the tape coil or for pressing the coil upwardly against a brake member. Braking the reel alone without engaging the tape coil reduces tape movement but is generally unsatisfactory since it does not effectively prevent movement of the coil due to 'jarring or vibration of the magazine.

An object of the present invention is to provide a magazine which holds magnetic tape in orderly storage.

A further object of the invention is to provide means for preventing the rotation of a tape coil within a magazine so that the tape may be accurately positioned for insertion into a tape recording and/or reproducing device.

Other objects, uses and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description and claims `and from the drawings, in which: v

Figure l is a top plan Iview, with parts omitted and parts broken away, of a tape recording and reproducing device and a removable magazine constructed according to the present invention, the parts being shown in their operating positions during feeding of the tape;

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional View taken substantially on the line indicated at 2--2 in Fig. l, and on the same scale, with parts omitted, the magazine being shown Such brake means engages the top of the tapev coil to prevent rotation of the coil and the reel and.,

2,922,642 Patented Jan. 2.6, 1.960

2 in lits normal operating position with the brake released to permit feeding of the tape;

Figure 3 is a side elevational view of the magazine of Figs. l and 2 on the same scale, with parts omitted and parts broken away and shown in vertical cross section, the brake being shown in its locking position in engagement with the. tape coil;

Figure 4 is a top plan view similar to Fig. land on the same scale, showing a modified form of tape recording and reproducing device and a modified form of cartridge constructed according to the present invention, the parts being shown in their positions during feeding of the tape; f

Figure 5 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view with partsomitted, taken substantially along the line indicated at 5--5 in Fig. 4, and on the same scale, the vertically swinging idler roller being shown in dot-dash lines in its lower retracted position;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view with parts omitted, taken substantially along the line indicated at 6-6 in Fig. 4, the brake being shown in solid lines in its released position during feeding of the tape, and being shown` in dot-dash lines in its normal locking position in engagement with the top of the tape coil;

Figure 7 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view with parts omitted, taken substantially on the line indicated at 7-.7 Vin Fig. 4, and on the same scale, to show how the latch holds the magazine in its operating'position;

Figure 8 is a top plan view similar vto Fig. 1,V with parts omitted, showing a modified form of tape recording and reproducing device and a modified form of cartridge constructed according to the present invention,

the parts being shown in their positions during feeding4 of the tape past the magnetic head;

Figure 9 is a fragmentary side elevational view'with parts omitted and with parts broken away and shown yin a vertical section taken substantially along the line indicated at 9-9 in Fig. 8, the magazine being shown from the tape recorder and the coil is held securely in place`by the brake.

Referring more particularly to the drawings which are drawn substantially to scale and in which like parts are identified by the same numerals throughout the several views, Figures 1 and 2 show a tape recording and re' producing device R, which is almost the same as that disclosed in said Patent No. 2,911,215. The machine R has a top plate 1 with a smooth flat horizontal upper surface for guiding each magazine to an operating position. Said top plate has a tapered upwardly projecting cam portion 2 which releases the brake, as will be hereinafter described. A pair of L-shaped magazine guides 3 are mounted in alignment on the plate 1 to provide vertical surfaces for guiding each magazine to an operating position and for limiting the `forward movement of said magazine. A pair of releasable magazine latches 4 are provided below the plate 1 having magazine-engaging portions projecting upwardly through holes in the plate 1. A conventional magnetic head 5 is mounted on the plate 1 and projects a short distance above said plate as best shown in Fig. 2. Means are provided for feeding the tape past the magnetic head including a motor-driven preferablyvbeing pressed against the capstan by a-spring to'avoid excessive pressure on the tape. f

As herein showna pair of groo-ved guide pins 8 extend upwardly through slots in the plate 1, said guide pins being mounted formovement toward and away from the magnetic head 5-iny unison withthe idler roller 7= andhe ing located so as to hold the; tape against the ourved Verticalface ofthe-magnetichead 5 during feedingv ofthe tape, asbest shown in-Fig. 1. A pair of tape-depressing` ngers 9 areprovided for lowering the tape betweenthe; feedVv rollers v6 and 7 and between the magnetic head1` 5? and the guide pins 8. The fingers 9 may be moved ver-` ticallybythe same control member which eects horizontal movement `ofthe roller 7 and the pins 8, for example as disclosedinvsaid Patent No. 2,911,215. v

Thetaperecording and reproducing device R is conf.- structedrto'receive a4 magazine A containing a reel 10,' or any other suitable endless tape reel of the type dis,-4 closediinsaid'Patent No. 2,9 111,215, andin my copending application, SerialNo. 535,899, filed September 22, 1955', nowabandoned.

Themagazine A has a; bottom portion 11 with a dat: bottom surface for slidably engaging the flat upper sur-A face off'the platel` Said bottom portion includes an yannular upwardly projecting stud portion 12 for locating the\reel101-and1continuous vertical walls 13.0f U-shaped horizontal cross section defining a recess 32' for receiv. ingthetmagnetic head and the capstan. The walls 13'; and thelbottom horizontal portion of the magazine are.; provided with a slot 14imidwaybetween the sides of the magazine, similar to the slot provided in the magazines; offsaidfcopending applications, Serial No. 500,633, nowe Pat; No. 2,911,215; andSerial No. 535,899, nowsabanf. doned, which receives the .optionai reel-drivingroller."

Laterallyaligned'circularholes 15 are provideclt:it;oppositefsidesof the rectangular front .portion of the maga-,-

zine A receive the vertically. projecting portionsofthe;r

latches 4,1as best shown in Fig. 2. A pair of vertical:

guide posts 16 extend upwardly from the bottom portion'.

llfnear thefront cornersot the magazine to assistin guiding thetape to and from the reel 10. These guideY posts have vertical bores for receiving the helicalsprings.;

17\and-for.receiving portions of the nylon tape guideslS, whichare 'improved versions of the guides shown inv Figs. 18 to 21 of said PatentLNo. 2,911,215. The springs.,

17' normally hold the guides 18 in an upper position Wherelnthe magnetic tape is completely enclosed withinthe magazine, the posts 16 serving to guide the members-. 18;.vertically as they are-movedv by the ngers 9 or thev springs 17-.`

The magazine A has a cover 20 which is almost .identical withk thecovervof the magazine A2 shown insaid PatentfNo. 2,911,215, said cover being rigidly held in. engagement-with the -bottomportion 11 by means of'a screw21. The cover 20 has a flat horizontal upper.sur..

faceand aimarginalskirt 22'extending downwardly fromf said surface. The coverhas downwardly projeetingpor.` tions vforming an annular tlange 23`concentric tothef studjportion 12 and 'radial flanges 24 that closely overlie the. tape on the reel 10. Two of the flanges 24 are providedfwith symmetrically arranged wire-receiving slots 25, and one .of these tianges is provided with a similar` wire-receivingslot 2.6 asshown in Figs. 1 and 2.

f guide pins 8 have a vertical height less than the..height f the magazine is in its operating position, and the por- The front rectangular portion of the cover 20 has fa:

pair of straight horizontal portions 27 and 2S` near the-ay topsofuthe magazineextending across therecess 32 dened'by lthe-walls 13, said straight portions beinglocated in parallel. vertical positions to provide a straight yslot- 29 for receiving a portion of the tapewhen the guides 181 are in their-uppermost positions. Forwardly ot` the guidesflS, the cover 20 -is provided with forwardly projectingv portions 30, said cover having large slots 31 therethroughextending vertically belowfthe tape slot29l andhorizontally beyond the tape guides 18'as shown `in Figs.- l and 2 so as vto permit vertical swinging movement.

olfrthe. ngers 9A through -thewcoven The magnetic head'-the feed rollers-6 and 7, and-the tion of the tape between the guides 18 is normally in the slot 29 above said recessso as to becompletely enclosed by the magazine. The lingers 9v effect lowering of the guides -1Szand 4moving of the tapefrom the upper position, wherein it is completely enclosed and protected, to a lower position wherein it is exposed in the recess 32 for engagement with the tape feeding and guiding elements 5 to 8.

The reel 10 is generally of the same type as shown in Figs. 29 and 30 of my copending application, Serial No.

631,19-9ledi December 28, 1956 and entitledEndless Tape-Ree L 'As shownin Fig.-i.2 the reel 10.ismounted. forrotation on anlannular; nylonbearing 35. Whi`ch.en gagesthe-stud portionlZ, and includes an annularnylom bearingsleevek 36 ofi L-shaped .radial cross section, said; bearing sleeve being iXed to the reel for rotation therewith. It is-preferableto useitwomylon bearing members, but goodres ults can be obtained omitting. the additional*I bearingfsleeve as :disclosed inpsaidlcopending application,l Serial'rNo: 631,199 andsaidPatent No; 2,911,215.`

fl'h`e1structuretof. thereel 1t) shouldl beA apparent from l. Fig. 2 whchiis drawn tozscale;A This .reel has a horizon-.- tal annulan coil-supporting disc or:l plate 37 with a graphite-coated convex:upper surface of curved radial cross sectitmvland has :an annular. axially tapered lhub 38; with L-a-con`cave :annularlgroove: of z generally arcuatefcross sectionrfor engaging: the tapeassit is pulled; from the innermostlcoilV convolution Said concave; groovemayz besymmetrical P aboutI the horizontal-.medial .plane of thehub 381. Al strip ofi graphite-coated magnetic soundtape.:

u 40;' of'uniform' width and thickness; is :woundaround the hub -38to`form1anzendless tape lcoil V4L havinga` generallyhorizontaltop surface 42rformed by. the upperedges of. the-.coillconvolutionst Thetape extends from the" coil to provide a: loop eX tendingl forwardly directlyI from the?. innermosticoilconvolution to one .ofthe guides 18 at the front corner portion-of the magazine, laterally directly4 totheguide` 18v at4 theother` front corner portion, and: rearwardly directly to the outermost coil-convolution,

Thenylon guides 18' have forwardlyv projecting. portions 43`b`elow-thetapein'said loop for supportingthe.: tape, each of-"said portions having atape-receiving notch 44aslshownfinFigs. l and2, whichzare drawn to scale.: Each guide 18gis similar to the guide 41a shown in said. Patent No. 2,911,215,` but has a tape-guiding skirt 45..- ofarcuate v-Yhorizontal cross section. It is preferable to.v make fthefguides 18 of nylon so as to reduce therfriction between the smoothly. curved vertical surfaces of the.. skirt 45 and the tape. Said guides may also be; coated'. with' colloidal graphite. lThe guides 18 and the bearing members 3.5 and36 are the only plastic parts made. of' nylon. The remainder of the magazine A, exceptfor the vmetal springs 17`= and the metal brake 47 `are madeA of' a cheaper plastic which may be readily molded.

Accordingfto the present invention, brake meansare provided for holding the reel against rotation in the. -rrragazineiVv WhfenI the. magazine is removed; from' the recorder R', aslshown/in Figs. l to3, the-'magazine'A is provided-'with a brake 47 formedby av small wire of circular cross section. The brake has a portion'48spirally Wound inan annular groove 46 at 'the top of the bearing member 35' to anchor-the wire to thebearing member. The wire extends radially upwardly over the tapelcoilV 41 and'backto the bearing. member y35 Vto form a loopt` including a horizontal portion y49fthat'normally engages; the top surface-4201? the tape coil andan upright U- shaped brake-releasing portiony Srthat is accessible from outsidefthe'magazine;l Tworadially extending Mire; legsa the arm 51 and engages the top of the cover 20 as shown in Fig. 3, the tape leaving the innermost convolution of y the coil engaging the top surface of the longer portion of the element 52 which serves as a guide for the tape, as shown in Fig. l.

The operation of the brake 47 should be apparent from the Figs. 1, 2 and 3. The ange portion 23 engages the horizontally extending wire portions 49 at the notches 25 so that the portions 49 are normally held in engagement with the supper surface 42 of the coil as shown in Fig. 3, whereby the coil 41 is pressed downwardly against the plate 37 and held against rotation. By engaging the coil 41 the brake 47 also seves as means for holding the reel against rotation. When the magazine is slid horizontally on the plate 1 to its normal `operating position, shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the horizontal wire portion of the brake releasing member 50 rides up the inclined surface of the stationary cam member 2 whereby the horizontal portion 49 is lifted vertically out of engagement with the coil 41 as shown in Fig. 2. The reel 10 and the coil 41 are, therefore, free to rotate Whenever the magazine A is in its normal operating position on the recorder R.

The wire portions 49 are resilient so that they spring.

back into contact with the top of the coil 4l whenever the magazine is removed from the recorder R, as shown in Fig. 3. The flange 23 exerts suicient pressure on the portions 49 to insure that the brake 47 will effectively hold the coil against rotation. It is, therefore, almost impossible to disturb the tape within the magazine A by normal handling of the magazine. The brake 47 functions most effectively when it engages a substantial number of coil convolutions and will not damage the tape even where it applies a substantial pressure against the top edges of the tape. V

It would be possible to rotate the reel 10 when the magazine is in its operating position even though the feed rollers 6 and 7 are not in engagement with the tape.

However, this would lbe extremely diicult in a magazine of the type shown herein since the magazine is tamperproof (that is, it completely encloses the tape) and since the magazine cannot move relative to the recorder R when it is held in place by the latches 4. Since jarring of the recorder R Would be unlikely except in an automobile, the construction shown in Figs. l to 3 is excellent for most purposes. However, the machine can be designed so that the brake is released only as the feed rollers are moved into engagement with the tape.

I Figures 4 to 7 illustrate a modified form of the invention, which employs this principle. These figures show a tape recording and reproducing device R having a hori- 'zontal top plate 1a with a at horizontal upper surface for slidably engaging and guiding the magazine to an operating position. vA pair of L-shaped magazine guides 3a similar to the guides 3 of the recorder R are provided to guide each magazine to an operating position as shown in Fig. 4 and to limit forward movement of the magazine. The recorder R has a brake releasing cam 2a 'and has a releasable magazine latch 4a that holds the magazine in its operating position.

A pair of laterally aligned magnetic transducer heads 5a and 5b are mounted on the plate la, and means are provided for feeding the tape over said heads, including a motor driven drive roller or capstan 6a having a fixed vertical axis and a rubber-covered idler roller 7a having an axis of rotation that may have diierent positions. A conventional on-of switch S is mounted on the plate 1a and has an outwardly projecting operating plunger 60 for engaging each magazine as it is moved to its operating position.Y The switch S makes and breaks theelectrical connection between the electric driving motor for the capstan 6a and its source ofenergy. vThe switch is open when vthere is no magazine on the recorder R and' is closed by the plunger 60 ,whenever the magazine is in its operating position as shown in Fig. 4. This arl rangement is. advantageous since-driving of the capstan 6a continuously wastes a great amount of electricity when there is no magazine on the recorder.

Like the form of the invention shown in Figs. l to 3, the device of Figs. 4 to 7 has means for causing relative vertical movement between the tape and one feed roller so that said one feed roller does not interfere with movement of the magazine to and from its operating position. In the lirst described form of the invention, this relative movement is effected by means including the fingers 9 andv the springY 17. In the modified form this relative vertical movement is effected by means including the shaft 9a and control means (not shown) for rotating said shaft. The shaft 9a is journaled in suitable bearings for rotation about a horizontal transverse axis spaced a fraction of an inch below the top plate la and is rigidly connected to the brake release cam 2a so as to eifect movement of said cam from a retracted position shown in dot-dash lines in Fig. 6 to an advanced upper position shown in solid lines in that ligure. The top plate 1a of the recorder R has a large oblong opening 54 to permit swingingv of the idler 7a from a position below the plate 1a, as shown in dot-dash lines in Fig. 5, to an operating tapeengaging position as shown in solid lines in that figure.

The plate la also has anopening 55 for receiving the axial movement of lsaid boss.

Recorder R is designed to receive a magazine A having an endless tape reel lilaV mounted therein for rotationabout a vert-ical axis. The magazine A' is of generally rectangular shape and has a bottom plastic portion 11a with a ilfat bottom surface for slidably engaging the flat upper surface of the plate 1a. The bottom portion 11a has means defining a large oblong opening 61 of the sameV size as the opening 54, that registers with the latter open-` ing when the magazine is in its operating position, shown in Figs. 4 to 7, so that the idler roller 7a may be swung vertically to its tape feeding position Within the magazine.

ing 14a that registers with the opening 56 to receive avl cam 2a and means defining an opening 15a that registers The bottom 11a also has means delining an openwith the opening 55 to receive thelatch 4a.

Means are provided for guiding va straight portion ofi the tape between the front `corner portions of the magazine A including an annular nylon tape guide Sa having -annular tape-receiving grooves, with a width corresponding to that of the tape, for locating the tape vertically and having similar nylon tape guides 18a at the front corners of the magazine. The guide 8av serves as means for holding the tape against the magnetic heads 5a and 5b when the magazine is in its operating' position, it being apparent that such guide may be replaced by aspring iinger or similar means for yieldably pressing the tape against the magnetic heads. v

The magazine A is provided with a plastic cover 20a of rectangular shape that ts on thebottom portion 11a in such a manner that the magazine is completely closed screw 21a which tits in the-upper end portion of the external cylindrical metal stud 35a. `This studI is rigidly` mounted on the bottom portion 11a and has a diametercorresponding to that ofthe internal cylindrical surface cover 20a has a downwardly projecting continuousV marginaliskiit 22a extending around the. sidesand'rearofthe:

magazine and a vertical'skirtportion 28a extending' lat# erally'andengaging the' laterally extending portions-ofthe guides 3a.

The coverk also has a` downwardly Vprojecting laterall flange 24a`which4 functions like the radial` flanges 2dr-of thev magazine A to limit upward movement ofthe* tape within the magazine, Asaidiiange 24a having wire-receiving notches '25a similar tothe notches 25 described above. A recess 32a-is provided in the front portion'ofthel magazine A' to receive thetape,` the feed rollers, andfthefront portions ofthe magnetici heads; v

The bottomV portion; 11aA of the magazine-hasv an upwardly-projecting marginal' skirt 62 which lits with the skirtsf22ay and 28a on the cover 20a so as to completely close the marginalside walls ofthe magazine, except for the openings 6T' and; 64 at the front of the magazine.

One opening 64 is provided to permit the capstanA 6a to enter the recess 32ans the magazineA' is movedhorizon tally'to its operating position, and two larger yopenings 63- are provided to permit movement of the headsv a and 5b into said recess 32a during such movement. `|The tape' 40a within the magazine Af is, therefore, almost'Y completely enclosed within the magazine so that it cannot' readily be disturbed by one handling the magazine.

The reel a is somewhat larger than the reel' 10 described above and comprisesaflat circular disc orplate 37a and a frusto-conical hub 38a integral with said disc' and increasing in diameter in a direction away from said disc. The tape 40a lisy spirally wound on the hubal to form -a at coil, a portion of the tape forming a loop extending from the innermost coil convolution aroundy the guides 18a and 8a and back to they outermost coil convolution as shownin Fig. 4.

The magazine A' lias'a resilientA wire of circular crossl sectionbent to provide a brake 47a and a tape guidein a manner quite similar to that described with regardv to the magazine A. The brake has a portion 48a spirally wound in the annular groove of a collar 58V mounted on the'bearing member 35a to anchor the wire to said bearing member. The wire is bent to form a loop including a' horizontal portion that normally engages the top surface of the tape coil 41a and an upright U-shaped brakereleasing portion 50a that is accessible from outside the magazine. Two radially extendingwire legs of the portion49aengage the bottoms of the notches 25av in the fange 24a. A Wire leg 51a extends radially from the spirally wound portion 48a, and an L-shaped guide portio'n52a is formed atthe end of the arm 51a that has an end edge engaging thetop of the cover a.

When vit is desired to operate the recorder R', a magazine A' is slidon the plate 1a between the guides 3a to the operating position, as shown in Figs. 4 to 6.' During the latter part of'this movement, the liange 62 `at the front of the magazine engages the plunger 60 to close the switch Sand to start the capstan motor whereby the capstan 6a is caused to rotate continuously. At this time the cam 2a and the idler roller 7a are below the plate la, as shown in dot-dash lines in Figs. 5 and 6, and the latch 4a engages the forward edgeof the' openingvlSa to prevent movement of ythemagazine out of its operating position.

If it isdesired to remove the magazine, the latch 4av may be released* by pivotingethey latch on thel shaft 9a and the magazine may be slid on the surface of the plate vertically to atape-feeding position in engagement with the'tapeas' shown in Fig. 5.

` The tape-does notfeed" during' rotation-of `the capstan 75 Ga'until it is pressed against said capstan by thev roller'la: Since' the'cam Zayhasthe position shown in Fig. 6 when the" idler isin its tape feeding position, brake 47 isre leased; andthe reel'10'a lis free to rotate lat the instant'feediing off thetapei's initiated. Whenever such feeding` is` stoppedlby moving the idler roller 7aV out of engagement' with thecapstan 6a, the cam 2a is moved below the plate 2a andout of engagement with the brake-releasing por tion V50a to effect stopping oi` the tape movement,` the` wire'portions- 49a springing back'against the top ofthe coil 4in as shown in dot-dash lines in Fig. 6. The brake 47a; therefore, functions substantially the samey as the brake` 47 described above except that it is released in response to initiation of the tape feed rather than in response to movement of the magazine to its operating position.

in the magazines A and At, the spring linger normally; presses down against the tape lcoil to hold the coil against movement. It will be understood, however, that the tapeL coil may `also beheld against movement by pressing the-` reel upwardly to hold the coil against a stationary brakel member` carried by the cover.

Figures 8 to-l0 show a modified form of the invention'4 wherein the reel is normally pressed upwardly to grip the tape coil. These figures show ay tape recording and reproducing device R2 having a horizontal top plate 1b' with'a flat horizontal upper surface for slidably engaging theY magazine. The plate 1b has a depressed portion 69 anda'camportion 2b which, like the cam portionv 2,. serves-to release-the brake. The recorder R2 is identical tothe recorder- R described above, except for the top: plate'l-b, and has the same means for guiding the maga zineand for controlling and feeding the tape. The taperecording device Rzisconstructed to receive a plasticmagazine A2 containing a reel 10, or any other suitabler endless tape reel.

The front portion of the magazine A2 containingther tape guides, is identical to the front portion ofthe magazine A, and the means provided in the magazine-Am for rotatably supporting the reel 10 are identical to those' provided in the magazine A.

The bottom portionof the magazine A2 4is the samev as` that of the magazine A, except that the plastic bottom Wall ll'is replaced with ak plastic bottom wall 11b shapedv to provide a resilient spring nger and brake andthe slot 14 is replaced by a shorter slot 1411 havingthe same size as the upper portion of the slot 14.

The magazine A2 has-a cover 20h which is identical' to theV cover 20` exceptthat the annular ange 23 and the radial anges 24 are replaced by an annular flange 23H1 and radial flanges 24l7and- 24C. The flange 23b is con' centric to the'bearing member 35 and extendsdownwardlyalmostto the top of the hub member 38. The" anges 24h and 24e extend radially outwardly from the ange 231) and have arcuately curvedbottom surfaces parallel'to the top surface 42 of the tape coil41 forl limiting the movement of the tape away from the convex' upper surface of the coil-supporting plate 37. Each of" the radial flanges 2411 hasadownwardly'projecting brake portion 70 with an arcuately curved coil-engaging bottom surface 71 parallel to the surfaceA 42.

Duringk feedingv of the tape, the surface 71 isspaced a? small fraction of an inchl from the upper'surface 42 ofthe tape coil to provide a clearance 72 of a few hundredths: of an inch as shown in Fig. 9. The brake portion 70', therefore, does not engage the tape 40 andl does not interfere with feeding of the tapev when the reel 10 is resting onthe bearing member 35 in a position coaxialwith said bearing member as shown in Fig. 9.

A pair` of parallel` narrow longitudinal slots 7,4' are provided' in the plastic bottom wall 11b. These slots" extend away from the recess 32, which receives'the'mag; netic head and the capstan, so as to form an elongated` springiinger 75 which extends from the stud 12 beyond the transverse portionof thewall 13; The springfuigerl has arrendfportion76 ofireduced thickness beyond the wali i3 that provides a brake-releasing' cam for engaging the inclined bottom surface of the cam member 2b and has an upwardly projecting brake portion 77 for engaging the bottom of the plate 37 near the margin thereof. The plastic forming the finger 75 has suicient resilience so as yieldably to resist movement of the nger downwardly from its normal horizontal position shown lin Fig. 10. The finger normally engages the reel 10 and presses the reel upwardly to hold the coil 41 against the stationary brake portions 70 whereby the coil is gripped and held against rotation relative to the cover 20h.

The bearing member 36 preferably has a loose fit on the bearing member 35 so as to minimize friction, and the engaging surfaces of the bearing members 35 and 36 preferably are tapered so that the reel may be tilted easily about a horizontal axis from the released position shown in Fig. 9 to the locked position shown in Fig. l0. A small clearance 79 is provided between a bearing member to permit the necessary tilting so lthat the finger 75 can hold the coil 41 against the anges 24b to prevent movement of the reel and the tape.

As the magazine A2 is slid on the upper plate 1b toward its normal operating position as shown in Fig. 8, the projecting portion 76 of the spring finger 75 enters the opening S between the portions 2b and 69, engages the portion 2b, and is forced downwardly by the inclined cam surface of said portion 2b to move the brake portion 77 of the spring linger out of engagement with the reel 10. The reel then drops to its normal position on the bearing member 35 and is free to rotate without interference by the brake members 70 and 77. The depressed portion 69 below the finger 75 provides a recess of a size to receive the finger as it is moved downwardly by the cam 2b out of engagement with the reel.

It is seen that the magazine A2 functions .generally like the first-described magazine A to release the brake automatically in response to movement of the magazine to its normal operating position on the tape recorder.

It will be understood that the above description is by way of illustration rather than limitation and that in accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, Variations and modifications of the specic devices disclosed herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Having described my invention, I claim:

l. In a tape recording and/or reproducing device, the combination of a removable magazine, a reel mounted in said magazine for rotation about an upright axis, said reel having a generally horizontal coil-supporting plate and a central hub projecting above said plate, a strip of tape of substantially uniform width spirally wound around said hub to form a generally flat coil on said plate, releasable means for holding said magazine in a predetermined operating position, means for feeding the tape from said coil when said magazine is in said operating position, releasable brake means carried by said magazine and normally engaging said coil to prevent rotation thereof, and means for releasing said brake means when the magazine is in said operating position to permit rotation of said reel and feeding of said tape.

2. Apparatus as defined in claim l wherein the means for releasing said brake means operates in response to movement of the magazine to said operating position.

3. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein means is provided outside the magazine and separate therefrom for releasing the brake means.

4. Apparatus as defined in claim l wherein the means for feeding the tape comprises a pair of feed members for engaging the opposite side faces of the tape to pull the tape from the coil, and common control means are provided for causing relative vertical movement of one of said feed members and a portion of the tape and for releasing said brake means, said relative vertical movement permitting movement of said portion of the tape so that said portion of the tape does not interfere with movement of the magazine.

5. Apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein said brakemeans normally engages the top edges of the coil convolutions to prevent movement of the coil relative to the magazine.

6. In a tape recording and/ or reproducing device, the combination of a removable magazine; a reel mounted in said magazine for rotation about an upright axis, said reel having a generally horizontal coil-supporting plate and an axially tapered central hub projecting above said plate; a strip of tape of substantially uniform width Ispirally wound around said hub to form an endless coil on said plate, the tape extending from the innermost to the outermost coil convolution; means for guiding said magazine to an operating position; releasable brake means carried by said magazine including a ybrake member for engaging the top of the coil to prevent movement thereof, means normally holding said brake member and said coil in engagement, and brake releasing means accessible from outside the magazine; and means for actuating said brake releasing means in response to movement of said magazine to said operating position to free said reel and said coil for rotation during feeding of the tape.

7. A magazine having a reel mounted therein for rotation about an upright axis, said reel comprising a hub and a coil-supporting disk, a strip of tape wound about said hub to form a coil resting on said disk, meansfor preventing rotation of said coil and ysaid disk including a brake member carried by the magazine for engaging the top of said coil and means carried by the magazine normally holding said brake member and said coil in engagement to prevent rotation of the coil, and means carried'by the magazine and operable from outside the magazine for causing the brake member and the coil to separate so that the reel and the coil are free to rotate.

8. A magazine as defined in claim 7 wherein said brake member comprises a spring linger carried by said magazine and Anormally pressing against said coil.

9. A magazine having a removable cover and a reel mounted in the magazine for rotation about an upright axis, said reel comprising an axially tapered hub and a coil-supporting disc, a strip of endless tape wound about said hub to form a coil resting on said disc, means for preventing rotation o-f said coil and said disc including a brake member formed by a portion of said cover for engaging the top of said coil and means carried by the magazine biasing the reel upwardly toward said brake member and normally holding said brake member and said coil in engagement to prevent rotation of the coil, and means carried by the magazine for causing the brake member and the coil to separate to free the reel and the coil for rotation.

l0. A magazine having a reel mounted therein for rotation about an upright axis, said reel comprising an axially tapered hub and a coil-supporting disc, a strip of endless tape wound about said hub to form a coil resting on said disc, means for preventing rotation of said coil and said disc including a brake member rigidly mounted on the magazine for engaging the top of said coil and means comprising a plastic spring finger molded integrally'with the magazine below the coil 'for pressing the reel upwardly ltoward the brake member and for normally holding said brake member and said coil in engagement to prevent rotation of the coil, and means carried by the spring finger of said magazine for moving the linger downwardly and for causing the brake member and the coil to separate so that the reel and the coil are free to rotate, said finger normally engaging said reel and serving as a brake to prevent rotation of said reel.

1l. A magazine having a reel mounted therein for rotation about a vertical axis, said reel comprising an axiallyv tapered hub and a coil Asupporting plate rigidly connectedrto, said, hub,` a strip Ofmagnetic coated plastic tape-iwound about said hub to:A form a` coilhaving cylindrical convolutions, releasable means carried'by the magazine for preventing accidental rotation of said coil comprising a. brake; member normally engaging the top of said coil, and a smallopening in said magazine permit-` ting access to said releasable means, said magazine.: completely enclosing the; reel, soy that itv can. be; freedfor rotation. only throughsaid opening, said brake member comprising a springnger anchored near said hub and having; a generally; horizontal coil-engaging portion extendingradially outwardly above said coil to the margin of. said coil'supporting plate: and having an uprighty brakereleasing cndportion extending downwardly below said coilfsupporting plate,y said, opening in the bottom portion ofthe; magazine permitting.k access to said brake-releasing portion.

12. In a tape recording and/or reproducing device, a magnetic head, a pair of feed rollers, the combination of a reel. having a generally horizontal coil-supporting plate and an axiallyy tapered central hub projecting above said plate@aremovablemagazine having means supporting said reel for rotation about a vertical axis and having top, 'bottom' and marginal Walls enclosing said reel, a strip of tape of substantailly uniform width spirally wound around said hub to form an endless coil engaging the top of said plate, tape guides in-the magazine spaced from the reel for supporting av-length ofthe tape between them while guiding a loop ofthe tape from the innermost to the-outermost convolution of'said coil, means for hold- 12 ing the magazinexin an` operating position whereinsaid lengthbf tapeimaytiengagethe feedy rollers and the. mag

neticheadiimeansforcausing relative upward and rdowne4 ward movement between oneofsaidrfeed rollersand'zsaid length` of tape: to: position the tape. between, the yfeedrollersx andformoving the feed rollers vagainst theV tape, releasable brake means4 cam'ed by said magazine includ-- ingatbraker member for'engagingthe top of said coil to prevent; movementthereof and means for holding said brakememberfandsaid coil in engagement, means carried by the magazine4 forrreleasing the brake member and the coil so that the reel and the coil thereon are free to' rotatewhenfthefeecl rollers move into engagement with thertape,randfa: small opening in the ,lower portion of saidv magazinepermitting access to said last-named means fromoutside the magazine.

13. Thecombinationof claim lZlwherein anopening. is provided invsaid bottomvwall and said means for causing relativel upward: and downward movement swings one of the feed rollers upwardly from a position below theV magazine through said last-named' opening againstthe other feed roller to grip the tape and effects release ofthelbrakeby. the brake yreleasing means before the feed rollers .grip thetapetoinitiate feeding thereof;

References Cited in the ijle of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,205,052 Stein lune 18, 19404 2,661,162 Owens Dec. l`, 19.53 2,778,880 Ea'sh Ian. 22, 195'/ 

